Real Madrid sack Rafael Benitez and appoint Zinedine Zidane

Real Madrid have sacked Rafael Benitez after club president Florentino Perez arranged an emergency meeting on Monday afternoon, according to Marca.

The Spanish coach lasted just seven months in the Bernabeu hot-seat after landing his dream job last summer.

Real Madrid Castilla head coach Zinedine Zidane will replace Benitez, according to the Spanish newspaper, even though Jose Mourinho had also been linked with the position in recent weeks following his dismissal from Chelsea.

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It was reported less than two weeks ago by Cadena SER that Benitez was on the brink at the Bernabeu after losing the dressing room. Real Madrid’s stars were “baying” for Perez to sack Benitez before the club’s final match of 2015 against Real Sociedad.

This was despite an emphatic 10-2 victory over nine-man Rayo Vallecano on December 20 - a result which bought the former Liverpool boss some additional time.

The inevitable has finally happened

However, following Sunday evening’s 2-2 draw against Gary Neville’s Valencia at Mestalla, the inevitable has finally happened: Benitez has been relieved of his duties, several weeks after receiving a public vote of confidence from the club’s president.

Perez will expect the club’s next head coach to win La Liga - Real Madrid are currently third in the Spanish top flight behind Barcelona and league leaders Atletico - and seriously challenge for the Champions League title.

The Copa del Rey, however, is no longer a trophy up for grabs after Real Madrid were kicked out of the competition for fielding the ineligible Denis Cheryshev against Cadiz last month.

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